A cross-sectional study on the prognostic value of the RAPID score in pleural infection in patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Central India

Abstract

Pleural infections pose a significant clinical challenge, with diverse outcomes that are often difficult to predict. The renal (urea), age, fluid purulence, infection source, dietary (albumin) (RAPID) score, a clinical tool designed to assess the risk of adverse outcomes in pleural infections, holds the potential as a prognostic indicator. This study aims to evaluate the prognostic value of the RAPID score in patients with pleural infections attending a tertiary care hospital in Central India. This hospital-based prospective cross-sectional observational study will span from July 2022 to June 2024, enrolling 50 adult patients aged 18 years and older admitted to the Department of Respiratory Medicine, a tertiary care hospital in central India. Data will be collected using a structured proforma, encompassing demographic data, clinical history, and comorbidities. Diagnostic investigations, including pleural fluid analysis, laboratory tests, sputum analysis, and radiological assessments, will be performed upon enrolment. RAPID scores will be calculated at admission, stratifying patients into low, medium, and high-risk categories. Treatment will follow established pleural infection protocols, with patients receiving empirical antibiotics and tailored treatment based on culture sensitivity results. Patients will be monitored for three months post-admission, and outcomes such as hospital stay duration, tube thoracostomy need, intercostal drainage tube duration, medical management success, surgical referral rates, surgical interventions, and 30-day and 90-day mortality rates will be assessed. This study aims to contribute valuable insights into the prognostic value of the RAPID score in pleural infections and factors influencing patient outcomes. The findings may facilitate more informed clinical decision-making and improve the management of pleural infections, ultimately enhancing patient care and outcomes.